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NZPA/Wayne Drought
Skipper Marshall to play halfback position
Welcome to the Benji show.
Less than a week after feeling so ill, "I thought I was going to die", Benji Marshall sprang to life as the Kiwis assembled in Brisbane today to scotch any concerns about his fitness to captain them in Friday's league test against the Kangaroos.
Flu? Check. Corked thigh? Check. Halfback? Check.
Halfback?
Just minutes after coach Steve Kearney played coy about the makeup of his team, Marshall fronted the cameras and confidently laid down his hand.
"I'll play halfback, definitely. Steve asked me where I wanted to play and I've really taken a liking to the halfback position," Marshall said.
"I enjoy leading the team around, I think it's improved me as a player and as a person too."
But Kearney hasn't named his starting side yet, and you played five-eighth in the World Cup final-winning team?
"I think so... he hasn't said exactly... but I think I'm the captain, yeah I'll play (number) seven," came the reply, with a glint in the Marshall eye.
Marshall spoke of the honour at captaining the Kiwis for the second time, after their World Cup pool match win against England last year.
With Roy Asotasi and Jeremy Smith seemingly ahead of him in the queue, Marshall's naming as skipper yesterday was the biggest selection talking point.
Its effect on Marshall was profound as he lay in bed last week, riddled with fever, and Kearney's number flashed up on his phone.
"I was surprised more than anything. I was lying in bed sick, I thought I was going to die, then all of a sudden I got a call from Steve asking me if I'd accept the responsibility of being captain of New Zealand.
